Unit of competency details

Descriptor 

This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to adjust and maintain new and existing dental prostheses

Clients may be dentate or edentulous

All procedures are carried out in accordance with occupational health and safety policies and procedures, current infection control guidelines, Australian and New Zealand Standards, State/Territory legislative requirements and organisation policy

Application 

This unit applies to work in dental prosthetics at advanced diploma level

Pre-requisite units 

This unit must be assessed after successful achievement of pre-requisites:

• HLTDP601C Identify, select and prepare instruments, equipment, materials as required
• HLTDP602C Gather data, conduct a dental prosthetic examination and develop treatment plan
• HLTDP603C Take impressions
• HLTDP604C Measure and record jaw relationships and select artificial teeth
• HLTDP605C Evaluate a removable dental prosthesis at try-in stage
• HLTDP606C Insert and issue a completed dental prothesis
• HLTIN301C Comply with infection control policies and procedures
• HLTIN302B Process reusable instruments and equipment in health work
• HLTOHS401A Maintain workplace OHS processes

Employability Skills 

This unit contains Employability Skills

Elements define the essential outcomes of a unit of competency.

The Performance Criteria specify the level of performance required to demonstrate achievement of the Element. Terms in italics are elaborated in the Range Statement.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1. Examine oral cavity and/or prosthesis to determine treatment need

1.1 Review the client's medical history

1.2 Decontaminate the removable dental prosthesis  according to infection control guidelines

1.3 Assess the client's adaptation to the prosthesis 

1.4 Determine the procedure  that will give desired outcome for the client and the operator

1.5 Involve the client and/or carer in discussions about the procedures and help clients clarify their preferences

1.6 Refer client to other professionals if necessary

2. Prepare for the procedure

2.1 Provide full details to the client and/or carer about options and potential risks and benefits

2.2 Obtain and document consent following ethical and legal requirements

2.3 Select appropriate materials and equipment  for the procedure

3. Perform procedure

3.1 Implement aseptic techniques  to prevent the spread of infection

3.2 Position the client comfortably for the procedure

3.3 Explain the participation required from the client during the procedure using language that is easily understood

3.4 Carry out procedure in accordance with the treatment plan

3.5 Use equipment for the procedure correctly and in accordance with relevant guidelines

3.6 Prepare materials in accordance with manufacturer's instructions

3.7 Complete documentation as required

4. Evaluate procedure and instruct client

4.1 Discuss oral hygiene and maintenance instructions of the removable dental prosthesis with the client and/or carer

4.2 Provide clear advice on follow up treatment required to client and/or carer

4.3 Reach mutual agreement that all outcomes of the treatment have been fulfilled

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level required for this unit.

Essential knowledge :

The candidate must be able to demonstrate essential knowledge required to effectively do the task outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage the task and manage contingencies in the context of the identified work role

This includes knowledge of:

• Current infection control guidelines
• Legal and ethical issues relating to: informed consent, duty of care, confidentiality, disability awareness
• Principles of quality assurance and work effectiveness
• Relevant occupational health and safety policies and procedures

Essential skills :

It is critical that the candidate demonstrate the ability to

• Consistently prepare clients, environments, instruments and materials for adjustment and maintenance of new and existing dental prostheses
• Consistently assess the functional and aesthetic acceptability of completed prostheses
• Consistent comply with occupational health and safety procedures
• Consistently implement standard precautions
• Consistently follow procedures to ensure client safety

In addition, the candidate must be able to effectively do the task outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage the task and manage contingencies in the context of the identified work role

This includes the ability to:

• Consistently apply standard and additional precautions during all prosthetic procedures
• Consistently select and prepare equipment and materials as required for adjustment and modification of dental prostheses
• Consistently demonstrate interpersonal skills when relating to people from a range of social, cultural and religious backgrounds and physical and mental abilities
• Consistently demonstrate communication skills as required in fulfilling the job role as specified by the dental practice/organisation including:

• acknowledging and responding to a range of views
• active listening
• asking for clarification from client and/or carer
• asking questions
• negotiation

• Consistently deal with conflict
• Consistently work with others and display empathy with client and relatives
• Consistently use problem solving skills required including:

• planning and organising personal work activities
• using available resources

• Consistently maintain equipment, instruments and materials
• Recognise, respond to and assist with dental and medical emergencies

EVIDENCE GUIDE 

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria, Required Skills and Knowledge, the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for this Training Package.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate this competency unit :

• The individual being assessed must provide evidence of specified essential knowledge as well as skills
• Observation of workplace performance is essential for assessment of this unit
• Consistent compliance with infection control guidelines, Australian and New Zealand Standards and legislative requirements as they relate to the dental prosthetist's specific job role
• Consistency of performance should be demonstrated over the required range of workplace situations

Context of and specific resources for assessment :

• Where, for reasons of safety, access to equipment and resources and space, assessment takes place away from the workplace, simulations should be used to represent workplace conditions as closely as possible

Method of assessment 

• Evidence of essential knowledge and understanding may be provided by:

• traditional or online (computer-based) assessment
• questions during workplace assessment
• written assignments/projects

• Case study and scenario as a basis for discussion of issues and strategies to contribute to best practice
• Staff and/or client feedback
• Supporting statement of supervisor
• Authenticated evidence of relevant work experience and/or formal/informal learning
• Role play/simulation

Access and equity considerations :

• All workers in the health industry should be aware of access and equity issues in relation to their own area of work
• All workers should develop their ability to work in a culturally diverse environment
• In recognition of particular health issues facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, workers should be aware of cultural, historical and current issues impacting on health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
• Assessors and trainers must take into account relevant access and equity issues, in particular relating to factors impacting on health of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients and communities

RANGE STATEMENT 

The Range Statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance.

Assessment of the client's adaptation to the prosthesis may include but is not limited to :

• An assessment of:

• supporting tissues and adjacent tissues
• retention
• stability
• occlusion
• discomfort
• speech
• mastication

Materials and equipment may include :

• Tissue conditioning
• Pressure indicator paste
• Impression materials
• Occlusal indicators
• Examination mirrors
• Handpiece
• Burs

Aseptic techniques may include :

• Personal hygiene practices especially handwashing
• Use of personal protective equipment
• Cleaning of surfaces and management of spills
• Reprocessing of instruments and equipment between client use